JBT Marel Completes Major Customer Innovation Center Renovation

20,000 sq. ft. equipment and testing hub furthers goal of transforming the future of food

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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JBT Marel, the global leader in advanced automation for the food and beverage industry, has unveiled the newly renovated Customer Innovation Center (CIC) in Lakeland, Florida. The renovated facility is now JBT Marel's premier customer destination for sustainable food tech, enabling customers to work side by side with experts to run their products through JBT Marel equipment and solve efficiency, quality, and regulatory challenges.

Why it matters

The renovation of JBT Marel's Lakeland CIC underscores the company's commitment to transforming the future of food in ways that create a positive impact and lasting value for its customers, communities, and the global food system. The expanded facility allows JBT Marel to better support customers in testing, validating, and scaling technologies that help feed the world more responsibly.

The details

The renovated Lakeland CIC now includes a new microbiology lab in addition to its revitalized analytical and wet chemistry labs, enabling accelerated innovation and helping customers make more informed decisions before scaling to full production. The center also features a modernized, second-level, all-glass customer lounge overlooking the production floor and a VR Immersive Space where guests can experience production lines in action.

  • JBT Marel has been in Lakeland for over 84 years.
  • The Lakeland CIC was recently renovated and unveiled on February 27, 2026.

The players

JBT Marel

The global leader in advanced automation for the food and beverage industry.

Brian Deck

The CEO of JBT Marel.

Patrick Canning

The Lakeland General Manager at JBT Marel.

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What they’re saying

“At JBT Marel, we are committed to transforming the future of food in ways that create a positive impact and lasting value for our customers, our communities, and the global food system. Our Customer Innovation Centers reinforce that mission by enabling customers to test, validate, and scale technologies that help feed the world more responsibly.”

— Brian Deck, CEO (Business Wire)

“JBT Marel has been in Lakeland for over 84 years, growing alongside the region and supporting the local business economy. The re-imagining of this CIC not only allows for elevated guidance for our customers, but it also underscores a continued investment into the local community.”

— Patrick Canning, Lakeland General Manager (Business Wire)

The takeaway

The renovation of JBT Marel's Lakeland Customer Innovation Center demonstrates the company's commitment to transforming the future of food through sustainable technology and collaboration with its customers. By providing an expanded facility with advanced testing capabilities, JBT Marel is empowering its customers to innovate, validate, and scale solutions that can help feed the world more responsibly.